A Ridiculous Collective Haul

    I haven't done a haul post in SO long! It's crazy, and I hate when I do that because then my collective haul is huge. Then I look like a makeup hoarding nut LOL. I did get a lot of things on sale, or with coupons, or things like that. So I guess that makes me feel better about myself ;-)

Bath and Body Works:

Into The Wild body splash $5

Orange Sapphire body splash $3

Twilight Woods, Be Enchanted & Midnight Pomegranate splashes $1.25 each

NEW Pink Chiffon lotion $1 

Face Products:

Maybelline Dream Matte powder

Revlon Colorstay foundation

Hard Candy Sheer Envy primer

Neutrogena Healthy Skin foundation ($2 off coupon)

Wet n Wild 'Reserve Your Cabana' bronzer

*The WnW bronzer is a re-promote of an old favorite 'Acapulco Glow'. This is $3.99 and exclusive to Walgreens. It is much to light to be an actual bronzer. I use it as a face powder and love it, because it has a subtle sheen to it*

Eye Products:

NYX trio: Aloha/Mink/Deep Bronze

NYX trio: Golden/Rust/Walnut   (BOGO 1/2 off @ Ulta)

L'Oreal HIP duo in Bustling (75% off)

Maybelline Eye Tattoo 'Pomegranate Punk'

Maybelline Eye Tattoo 'Bad to the Bronze' (BOGO 1/2 off)

Maybelline Line Stiletto liquid liner

Maybelline Falsies Flared mascara

Nails:

Essie 'Topless & Barefoot'

OPI 'Planks A Lot' Stranger Tides collection(clearance @ Ulta)

China Glaze 'Dance Baby' Electro Pop collection (free)

Milani 'Gold Dust' (75% off)

Seche Vite  (Buy Seche Vite, get a China Glaze free @ Sally's)

Lips:

Milani lipstick 'Sugar Rim' (75% off)

NYX lip pencil 'Rose'

NYX lip pencil 'Nude Pink' (BOGO 1/2 off @ Ulta)

Wet n Wild MegaLast 903C 'Just Peachy' (50% off)

So, now that I've aired it all out there, that's what I have picked up in the last 2 months or so. Any one else get any good deals at Ulta during BOGO 1/2 off? How about the Milani sale at CVS? 

Check you later lovelies!

My Look: Feeling Un-Lazy

    I was feeling not so lazy today, so I actually took some pics for a blog post. Yay me!! As I was cropping, and fixing the colors on Picnik, I decided to try something new: I changed my eye color to grey. What do you think? ;)

Products Used:

Hard Candy Sheer Envy primer

Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse foundation

NYC Liquid Concealer

NYC Sunny bronzer

Physicians Formula Happy Booster blush in Natural

MAC Rubenesque Paint Pot

Too Faced e/s 'Heaven' (crease to brow)

Too Faced e/s 'Honey Pot' (lid)

Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Underground (lower water line)

Essence All Eyes On Me mascara

Wet n Wild MegaLast lipstick in 903C 'Just Peachy'

Revlon Colorstay Foundation review

    I have not stopped hearing rave things about this foundation since I've been in the makeup blogging world. Although I LOVE my Dream Smooth Mousse, I decided to try it.

    I have sensitive skin, so I was a little nervous paying $12.99 for this product, in case it broke me out terribly.  I was pleasantly surprised to find this did not cause any reactions to my skin. 

   This is a full coverage foundation, so it is a little heavy. I find in this winter weather, it can tend to look a little cakey on my face. It does have a SPF 15 in it, and I do not find that it makes the foundation look shiny, or anything like that. If it is not blended into the skin well enough, it will fall into fine lines and look a little odd. Without paying attention, I did pick up a bottle meant for dry skin, instead of oily/combo (which is what I need). I think this will look best on me in the summer, but I do like to use it now because of the full coverage. 

    I have found a method to avoid too much caking. Instead of applying directly with a brush, I first apply it with my fingers, then buff it in with the brush. I find that this works it into the skin much better. I use either a regular foundation brush, or a flat top kabuki (like the ELF brush, or a Sigma F80 if that's what you use). After using my fingers and a brush, sometimes I go over it with a cosmetic sponge to blend in any brush lines. 

    I do not top this foundation with a powder, because I do not feel it needs one. This foundation claims to last 16 hours, but I haven't worn it that long to corroborate this claim. It does wear very nicely on this skin through the day however, and I would consider this very long lasting. Defiantly through the work day with no problems. 

    This bottle doesn't come with a pump. You must either shake onto your finger, or shake it out on to  the back of your hand. A pump would make this a better product to me, but I can live without it. This foundation runs between $11 and $13, and is available at any drugstore, Walmart, Ulta etc. 

    Bottom Line: Would I repurchase this product? If need be, I would. I would however read the bottle better and get the right formula for my skin, LOL. 

What do you think? Are you a Colorstay lover? Are you interested in trying this foundation? 

5 Pretty Glitters

    So many things to blog about... so little time. I am back to work now, and also started my second job, so my blogging time is quickly diminishing. Granted, my jobs are not not super hard or anything (I work at 2 daycares), but it does keep me out of the house. I literally have 20 minutes before I'm out the door again, so luckily I already have some pics ready to post =)

Milani One Coat Glitter - Purple Gleam (2 coats)

China Glaze - It's Alive (2 coats)

China Glaze - Ultimate Holiday (3 coats)

OPI - Excuse Moi! (2 coats)

Pure Ice - Spit Fire (2 coats)

    Milani nail polishes are available at Meijer and K Mart (maybe CVS also). I purchased this one at K Mart for $3.99, but I did see it at Meijer yesterday, same price. 

    China Glaze "It's Alive" was part of the 2011 Halloween collection, and is no longer available in stores. You can find this online at either TransDesign, or Head2Toe Beauty (where I got mine) for about $3.60. 

    China Glaze "Ultimate Holiday" was an Ulta exclusive for the 2011 Holiday season. This is not available any longer, unless you find it on clearance, as I did. It doesn't show very well, but it is a beautiful gold holographic glitter. It does dry dull looking, and rough. Needs lots of top coat. 

    OPI "Excuse Moi" was part of the recent Muppets Collection. Good luck finding it. =( If you do, let me know because I'm looking for a full size Warm & Fozzie myself ;) Excuse Moi! Is a pink jelly base, with multi-size silver glitter. 

    Lastly, Pure Ice "Spit Fire" is readily available at your local Wal Mart for $1.97. It is a glitter that really looks best layered, but i really wanted to include it in this post. It kind of reminds me of the China Glaze Eye Candy polish, "Material Girl", but not as pretty. 

    So, how are you liking this 5 Series thing so far? I promise I am not only going to showcase polishes, those are just the pictures I have in stock right now. Have a wonderful Thursday lovelies!

My Latest MAC-cusitions

    I stuck to my budget of only purchasing one MAC product per week, or so. I did not buy anything this week, but I did last week. I also picked up 2 things during the holidays using Christmas gift cards. So what did I get?

Painterly Paint Pot - $17.50

I louvre this product!! It matching the skin tone perfectly! I use this probably 4 or 5 times in a week. I love this as a base to my eye shadows because I have VERY hooded lids, and usually everything creases on me. I have found with paint pots that my eye makeup DOES NOT budge throughout the entire day. It's wonderful! This particular color is a pink, nude color. If you are thinking of taking the plunge into Paint Pots, I highly suggest this be your first purchase. If you have a darker skin tone, I would consider Quite Natural, or Groundwork.

Rubenesque Paint Pot - $17.50

Image Info

This was the second Paint Pot I was most intrigued by. This particular color is a soft, almost sheer, gold. It's very beautiful. I like to use this under bronze and gold colored shadows, like Urban Decay's Half Baked, or the bronze color in the Wet n Wild trio, I'm Getting Sunburned. Staying power is that of any other Paint Pot: incredible. I will defiantly be looking into more of these products. 

MAC Trax eye shadow - $15.00

I talked myself out of buying All That Glitters as my next eye shadow. Every time I went to the MAC counter I was drawn to this particular shade. It's amazing to look at. It's a very complex color, in my opinion.  It's defiantly a purple, but it also has a gold shift to it, with a slightly plum or cranberry undertone. This has a Velvet finish, and I love it. Frosts and shimmers tend to have more fall-out, or be too shimmery. This shade has more a sheen to it. It's quite lovely. I like to pair this with a gold eye shadow, to bring the gold shift out in it. If you are a purple lover, Trax will not let you down. 

Those are all the MAC purchases I have made to date. I do not regret any of them, and look forward to trying out more colors. For reference, there are pictures below of the two MAC shadows I purchased previously. 

What are some of your favorite MAC products?

5 Blue Polishes

    Today I bring you 5 blue polishes. Enjoy!

L to R:

China Glaze - Sea Spray (2 coats)

Wet n Wild - Blue Moon (2 coats)

Wet n Wild - Bijou Blue (3 coats)

China Glaze - First Mate (1 coat)

Sinful Colors - Hot Spot (2 coats)

    China Glaze "Sea Spray" and also "First Mate" were part of the Anchors Away collection. I believe that entire collection was made part of the permanent line and can be found at Sally's for $5.99. You can also get China Glaze at Head2ToeBeauty for $3. 

    Both Wet n Wild polishes are from the Wild Shine line. You can find them at Walmart for 93 cents. Sinful Colors are available at Rite Aid, Walgreens and the like.

My pick of the bunch? China Glaze "First Mate". One of my all time favorite polishes =)

Look! My First Award!

    I was awarded my first blog award today! I'm so friggin' excited!!! It totally geeks me out that someone thought enough of my little blog to give me The Versatile Blogger award =) I seriously appreciate everyone, and everything associated with blogging.

    I was awarded this from Emma at Life, Style and Beauty. She is such a sweet girl! I love her 30 Day Beauty Challenge, and her little dog is pretty darn cute too ;) As per the rules of this award, I get to share 7 things about myself with you all (which I will get to in a second).

Here are the Rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you and give them a shout out on your blog with a link to their blog.

2. Share 7 random facts about yourself.

3. Send on the award to 10 other bloggers whose blogs that you appreciate and then let them know that they have won the award.

7 Things About Myself:

1. I have hooded eyelids, and it drives me INSANE!!! Do you have any idea how hard it is to do makeup, then you open your eyes and your entire eyelid is covered up? So frustrating.

2. At least 75% of the clothes I own were either given to me, or bought second hand. 

3. I had 4 baby boys in the span of 5 years. My first was born 3 weeks after my 20th birthday.

4. Speaking of birthdays, I've never met anyone who shares the same birthday as me. November 14th anyone??

5. I own about 105 nail polishes.

6. I have recently discovered my love for high heeled shoes. 

7. I have only successfully applied false lashes 1 time in my life. 

Blogs I am Awarding:

The Closet Intervention

Coming Unstitched

Inspired Beauty

Skinny Moonstick

Style Diary of a Fashion Fanatic

The Lacquer Factor

NykkeyB

*Dyna's Random Blog

BeautifullyInspired

The Lipstick Diaries

My Look: Going For the Gold

    I have decided that I am sick of blurry, crappy pictures on my blog. It's so annoying! So from here on until I get a new camera, I'm back to phone pictures. The only problem with that is, they are smaller. Ce la vie! 

Products Used:

• Hard Candy Sheer Envy primer 
• Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse foundation
• Maybelline Dream Matte Powder
• NYC Sunny bronzer
• unnamed peachy blush from Coastal Scents
• Too Faced e/s "Heaven" (crease to brow)
• Too Faced e/s "Cocoa Puff" (outer third of lid)
• Too Faced e/s "Honey Pot" (inner two thirds of lid)
• Revlon e/s "Nude Slip" (crease)
• Urban Decay 24/7 liner "Bourbon" (outer half upper lash line, bottom waterline)
• Maybelline Falsies Flared mascara (upper lashes only)
• NYX lip pencil "Tea Rose"
• Revlon Lip Butter "Strawberry Shortcake"

Happy Beautifying!

   

5 Pink Polishes

    I am starting a new series here on the blog, I am calling it the "5 Series". I will be showing different takes on the same thing. (If that makes sense). I am starting with nail polishes, but plan to do other things, like eye shadows, blushes, and lipsticks.

    To kick off the 5 Series, I bring you 5 pink polishes. This lighting is basically "sunshine" trickling in from outside. It's rainy and gloomy here... I hate Michigan!! =)

(L to R)

China Glaze - 108 Degrees (3 coats)

Sinful Colors - Pink Forever (3 coats)

China Glaze - Ahoy! (3 coats)

Sinful Colors - Pink Cream (2 coats)

Sinful Colors - Dancing Nails (2 coats)

China Glaze "108 Degrees" was from the Island Escape collection. I, however, found it in the core collection at Sally's. China Glaze "Ahoy!" was in the Anchors Away collection, but is also now in the core collection. Both are available at Sally's for $5.99, or for $3 at Head2Toe Beauty. All Sinful Colors are available at Rite Aid or Walgreens. 

My pick from this batch? China Glaze "Ahoy!"

My Look: Quick Fast & in a Hurry

   

 It took so long to do my hair this morning, that I was afraid of being late for work. Sooo, makeup had to be done quickly. Eh, we all have mornings when we're rushing.

Products Used:

ELF Tinted Moisturizer

NYC Sunny Bronzer

Hard Candy Baked Blush in Honeymoon

ELF Eyelid Primer

Urban Decay e/s Vanilla (under brow, swept down to crease)

Urban Decay e/s Flow (all over lid)

Maybelline Line Stiletto 

Maybelline Falsies Flared mascara

Have a beautiful day lovelies!

My Look: Back to Life...

    There I went, disappearing again LOL. My life is crazy busy a lot, so that tends to happen. I guess my New Years Resolution should be to make sure I make time for blogging, because I truly love doing it. I may not look like a glamazon everyday, nor may I have the greatest pictures, but I love blogging.

    Today I jumped into my Wet n Wild Comfort Zone palette again. I love it. I love makeup, all types of makeup. Seriously, everyday I put my face on and I think to myself, "I love this... (enter whatever product here)". I have a makeup problem, because I just love it all! Wow, off track! Back to Comfort Zone palette. There is a color on the bottom right I've mentioned before. It's an awesome reddish brown/ green duochrome. (Dupe for MAC Club!) I had to use it today, it's so cool, and beautiful. I used a pencil brush to make an outer V with that color, and also under lower lashes. I then took a fluffy brush, and used the crease color on the left (medium brown), to go over my crease area. Lastly I used the eyelid color on the right for my lid (soft olive green). I lined upper and lower waterlines with a brown eyeliner, added mascara, and eyes were done!

   I also decided to NOT use foundation today. I instead used my tinted moisturizer. My skin has just been terribly dry lately, and it needed some moisture. I used my bronzer to contour, and a nice peach blush to finish the look.

- ELF Tinted Moisturizer

- Rimmel Match Perfection concealer

- NYC Sunny bronzer

- Milani Luminoso blush

- ELF Eyelid Primer

- Wet n Wild Comfort Zone palette

- Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Bourbon

- Essence False Lash mascara

- NYX lipstick in Thalia

Pink Party People!

    HAPPY NEW YEAR! I can't believe it's 2012 already. Where does the time go? One day you are anxiously awaiting the arrival of your first baby, and the next you have 4. Well, that's what life seems like to me anyway ;) Last night we stayed home with the kiddos, and had our own little "party". I made a bunch of party food, and we played video games, and drew pictures, and watched New Years Rocking Eve. My 5 year old informed me our party was lame. LOL

    As today is the beginning of a new year, I thought I'd start off with something different today. I love PINK. Anything pink, and I'm all about it. I tend not to wear a lot of pink eye shadow though, because I'm not sure how it looks on me. I wanted to use my CS Shimmer palette, and the pink shades called out to me, and I went for it. Enough of my life story, onto the pics!

It's much more vibrant looking in real life, I swear!